Clayton News Daily

By Daniel Silliman

dsilliman@news-daily.com

A 41-year-old Rex man was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday, on charges he bribed a major in the U.S. Army, in an attempt to secure government contracts.

Terry Hall, 41, is a civilian contractor, operating Freedom Consulting and Catering Co., U.S. Eagles Services Corp., and Total Government Allegiance. His three companies were given more than $20 million to provide supplies to the United States military's forces in Kuwait.

According to the three-page indictment, Hall's companies provided bottled water and other supplies to the soldiers, and earned over $10 million between 2005 and 2006.

During a two-year period, the indictment alleges, Hall was communicating with a major at Camp Arifjan, near Kuwait City in Kuwait, and "directly and indirectly, corruptly did give, offer, and promise" money and valuable items to the official, who awarded contracts, in exchange for the contracts.

The indictment, released by the Washington D.C., District Court on Tuesday afternoon, charges Hall with one count of bribery. He allegedly began bribing the major in January 2005 and continued "until at least in or about fall 2006."

During that same time, Hall's three contracting companies received "blanket purchase agreements," from the major, agreeing that the Department of Defense would pay a specific price, and order the bottled water and other supplies on an ongoing basis.

According to the grand jury, there was a direct link between the bribes and the contracts awarded.

The major's name is not listed in the indictment and it was not clear, Tuesday evening, if the military official is facing charges. The grand jury did not specify how much the Rex man offered the official.

Hall was arrested in Atlanta on Nov. 15. He faces a maximum, possible sentence of 15 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and the forfeiture of assets.